Lessons I've Learnt From 'How To Train Your Dragon'

*Warning: Rambling. Read at your own risk*
*Warning: Spoilers for the movie*

I've watched 'How To Train Your Dragon' last summer but it was blury and all so it didn't get to me as much as yesterday when I watched it in high quality, in the comforting solitude of my dark room and my trusted laptop. Needless to say, the movie blew me away (for the second time). How cute is Toothless? And how funny is Hiccup with his sarcastic and witty remark? Love them! And of course since I'm a fan of Gerard Butler, I just love his voice as Stoick, Hiccup's father. Lo....ve it~~

Anywho, the lesssons I have learnt from this movie is not exactly about dragons and viking but more like about relationships between people.  I know the movie title is ‘How To Train Your Dragon’ not ‘How To Be In A Relationship’ but watching this movie reminds me that the relationships featured in the movies is very much like relationships in our daily life, if you watch really closely. So, let me break my opinion down for you.. 

Ok, picture yourself as Hiccup and Toothless as someone new in your life, someone you just met and started to get acquianted. When Hiccup met Toothless, he was so afraid of it and so did Toothless; of the unknown. But they learnt that they both shared the same curiosity and interest to know each other. Same goes when we meet a new person. We're practically started with being strangers and we gradually started to know each other despite being scared/afraid/nervous/unsure when we first meet them.


Then Hiccup and Toothless get along, not really well at first. But with effort from both sides, they managed to know what the other like or hate. Like the time Toothless drew lines on the ground and Hiccup stepped on his drawing and Toothless snarled. It’s the same application with relationship. We will step on someone’s boundaries or tick them off by doing something that they don’t like/hate. Then Hiccup realized why Toothless was snarling and he realized the reason why Toothless was so upset. Same goes with relationships; we learnt from our mistakes and learnt new things. Then Hiccup learnt more about Toothless, what he likes and what he hates and what made him angry and what made him purr. Same goes in real life.



Then Hiccup realized that Toothless is not perfect, he lost half his wing tail. And Hiccup tried to filling up the gaps with his handmade wing. After that, it took them quite some time out of trial and error to figure out how to make things work. In real life, we will find out our partner new friend/partner/acquinatance/bf/gf/etc is not perfect and will be with flaws, lots of them. And we will do the right thing by accepting it and try to fill the gaps. And the both of uswill try and try and try again until we get it right to make things work. Note that I use the word ‘fill up’ and not ‘fix’ with Hiccup and Toothless. Same goes for us, we can’t fix our partner and etc to be the way we want them to be, we can only fill what was missing and it won’t be as good but it will work, with both our efforts. Just like Hiccup and Toothless.






Then when the people around them found out about Toothless and Hiccup, we can learn a few things based on their reactions. In this case, Astrid found out. Let’s say Astrid is someone quite important in our life, say a good friend. When the good friend found out that the two of you are getting closer, they would start going protective over you or worst, jealousy. And we will feel torn apart between our partner (from now on, let's refer to this new person in our life as our partner) and our friend; that is normal. Like Hiccup with Toothless and Astrid. Bear in mind, our partner and friend will most probably start off with the wrong feet and will probably hate each other for some time. But then the friend and our partner will learn about each other; just like they did with us and they will see what we see. Just like how Astrid saw how Toothless is not so bad and vice versa.


Then, came in the family. In the movie, the family is Hiccup’s father, Stoick. He was very protective of Hiccup from Toothless since he has a prejudice and doubt and distrust towards Toothless. The same goes in our family. Our father @ mother @ siblings @ all of the above will dislike our partner when they meet them for the first time especially when they are not quite ready for the ‘meeting’. Especially a surprise one, like in the movie and seeing us covering/protecting/ backing up our partner is just going to spark the prejudice/doubt/ distrust to a whole new level a.k.a infinity.




In the movie, Stoick took Toothless away from Hiccup. In real life, our family will take us away from our partner or drive them away or at least try to do so. But Hiccup loves Toothless so he went after him. If we really love our partner, we will do the same once we realize that you really need and love your partner and they are worth the trouble. 




So Hiccup went after Toothless. They fought the Giant Dragon and managed to defeat him. Of course in real life there are no giant dragons, or dragons for that matter but let’s think of the giant dragon as a trouble/problem/barrier/issue in life that we both have to face as a couple (or as friends etc). And if we work together with our partner like Hiccup and Toothless, we will get over it. In the movie, Toothless lost half a wing tail and Hiccup lost one of his feet. In real life, we might not lose a body part (well, depending on the situation anyway), but there will be some lost too; emotionally or mentally. But just like Toothless and Hiccups who accept each other’s flaws and helps each other with their problem and just being there while their partner needs them, so do you, we, everyone in relationships. And if we could do so, then we will have an ending like the movie; happy.


But then again, like isn’t the movie and the ending is only THE ENDING so before the end, we might have to repeat the process in the movie a few times, maybe more for some people. But we will learn in time. And with experience, we will be quicker the next time. So, of course you and me are not Hiccup and our partner is not a dragon, but as different as Hiccup, a boy and Toothless, a dragon, so aren’t we, right? Conclusion, people in new relationships ARE like Hiccups and Toothless but we can work it out; with efforts, patience and love.


p/s: I started writing with using 'you' as in adressing the public and not myself but when I think of it, I am in the same situation so I changed into 'we' as in including myself in this whole situation.

p/s2: I would like to read the book to know how the story is told in words. It's just so much diffrent seeing a story formed in words and in images.

Tea Person @ Coffee Person

   Some people like a cup of coffee in the morning to start of the day; coffee person while some like a cup of tea; tea person. I’m a tea person… I prefer a cup of tea to start off my morning; just a plain not too sweet cup of tea. I rarely drink coffee.. Unless when I need the caffeine; the only reason I drink coffee. As much as I hate to admit it, coffee can provide caffeine more than tea. Caffeine is like a stimulant, some kind of drug to my body; up and high when it’s inside. I drink coffee when I need to stay up and alert at night, or get through a morning after going through the whole night with no sleep. Usually the effect of the caffeine would last around 6 to 7 hours. One cup of coffee in the morning and I would be super active and super bright and super cheery; none of the person I should be in the morning because I’m not a morning person. (It’s my daily routine in the morning to wonder how people could be so up and cheery in the morning; with all the bright smiles and excited greetings. It never failed to amaze me and made me grunt grudgingly but that’s for another time.) And when the caffeine had worn off around afternoon, you would find me in a corner like someone who’s having a hangover. I never had any hangover for I don’t drink but I think it’s almost the same from the way from 1) no loud noises 2) no noises at all 3) no bright lights or anything that will stimulate the neurons in your brain or any of your senses. The aftereffect of the caffeine had been and will always be terrible but there are times that I just need it to get through the day. Ergo, it's natural that caffeine intake increases during exam weeks and near deadlines. That’s why I prefer less stimulating and comforting tea for normal days. Tea agrees amiably with my body and even if coffee makes me a highly productive person, I just don’t like it. I’m not a very productive person, I take everything according to my pace and my time and the way caffeine make me wanting everything done at that very time is so not me; because I’m not a coffee person, I’m a tea person. I’m writing this because I was studying through the night and drinking coffee to keep me up. Now I need sleep.....

Bostjan Cesar of Slovenia

Last night I watched the match between England and Slovenia. Of course I’m talking about THE World Cup. I wanted to watch it because of England; because I haven’t seen any of England’s matches. Since I thought it would be nice to see some familiar faces. Believe it or not, I used to be a fan of Manchester United (note the past tense). I used to love Gary Neville. I still do but not as much as before. For some reason, I just do, I don’t know why. But that was then. This was last night’s story. So I watched the match and there were a few familiar faces; Gerard, Lampard, Rooney and Terry. Of course Beckham was by the bench.


I was set to support England. It’s just a thing people do. If you watch a match, you just have to pick a side, right? You can’t not pick a side. It’s just so unfair to be neutral. So I was set to support England but one man; one player changed it all. It was Slovenia’s Number 5 Defender; Bostjan Cesar. Why did I notice this man and why did he manage to make me support Slovenia instead of England which was the only reason I wanted to watch the match?



He’s an admirable player with great sportsmanship. Why? There was this one time when he tackled down England’s Defoe (I think) and Defoe was in pain but the referee ignored it and the match continued. Did you know what Cesar did? He raised his hand and asked for a little time off for Defoe. He kept raising his hand for the referee’s attention although his team had the ball at that time. The referee noticed and the match stopped for a few seconds while Defoe recovered. It wasn’t anything serious or anything but I was impressed. I was impressed with Bostjan Cesar.


It’s World Cup, people!! Player had done more than usually jersey pulling and hard tackle and even used hands to score a goal. It’s the match where man would do almost anything; dirty or not just to have the ball, to get a goal; to win. But this dignified man was sincerely worried about a fellow player and to me, it was admirable and honorable. Maybe I’m just exaggerating but I was touched; after watching match after matches that didn’t really seem fair, his action caught me by the heart. And I immediately switched sides from England to Slovenia; in just a blink. Not that I really support England from the start or anything. Anyway, I supported for Slovenia up to the end. And after the match was over, who knew America managed to get a goal at the very last second. Damn I was frustrated!! I wanted to watch more of Slovenia; I wanted to watch more of Cesar. Sigh~~~


But that’s the result; there’s nothing that can be done about it. But I truly wish that I could see more of Slovenia. But bear in mind that I had found an admirable player; an football player with great sportsmanship. Maybe it’s just me. Maybe I’m exaggerating. Maybe I saw too much into a one time. Maybe other player did the same thing too. But not when I was watching, not during the England and Slovenia match. That’s why I salute you Bostjan Cesar of Slovenia!!!

Haven't Met You Yet

I love this song 'Haven't Met You Yet' by Michael Buble..
To those who is still waiting for that right person; for 'The One'~~

Haven't Met You Yet by Michael Buble

**************************************************

I'm not surprised,
Not everything lasts,
I've broken my heart so many times
I stopped keeping track
Talk myself in,
I talk myself out,
I get all worked up,
Then I let myself down,

I tried so very hard not to lose it;
I came up with a million excuses,
I thought I thought of every possibility,

And I know some day that it'll all turn out,
You'll make me work so we can work to work it out,
And I promise you kid that I give so much more than I get
I just haven't met you yet.

I might have to wait,
I'll never give up,
I guess it's half timing, and the other half's luck,
Wherever you are,
Whenever it's right,
You'll come outta nowhere and into my life.

And I know that we can be so amazing,
And baby your love is gonna change me,
And now I can see every possibility

They say all's fair
In love and war
But I won't need to fight it,
We'll get it right and,
We'll be united

I said love love love love love love love.....
I just haven't met you yet
Love love love .....
I just haven't met you yet!

~~My Mr. Fireman~~

Mr.Fireman is my best Japanese friend in 高専(college). But he quitted college in May 2009. I was devastated because I thought I could never see him again and everything happened so quickly. I didn't have the chance to say goodbye and see him for the last time. The last time I saw and talked with him was when we headed back together to the dormitory after class. We parted like we usually did; with a wave and 'see you tomorrow'. But I didn't see him the next day or the day after that. Then I got the news that he had quitted (for a reason which it's not my place to tell) and he had left; he had packed all his stuff and left. I heard it from my tutor and I was very shocked. But I managed to keep a cool face in front of my tutor but when I came back to my room, I cried.



Yes, I cried. I cried because I would never see him again, because he didn't even say anything to me; less a goodbye, because it was too sudden to lose someone so important in my life at college; the friend that I finally made. He's a very cheerful and positive person. He makes me smile when I feel down, he makes me laugh just by being himself, he is the only Japanese that I can actually call a good friend. He's a very special person; what we have between us is very special but in a platonic kinda way. He knew how I still feel awkward around his friends n my classmates and he would stay by me, he would talk with me and help me getting into the 'group'/ the 'circle'. Any foreigner who had lived in Japan would know it's really hard to get past the politeness and just be comfortable with them; just be friends with them. And he let me into the circle of his friends. And since most of his friends are my classmate, they didn't have much problem going along well with me. I was so happy; I finally made real friends; not the kinda of friends who you waved and greet but have nothing to say to each other once you're alone.


Anyway, I was DEVASTATED when he left college, without telling me anything; without goodbye. I wanted a closure so I texted him and guess what? He replied with the same energetic, life-is-great tone of his and said we can always meet from time to time and we can text all the time. I wasn't convinced; I've used that line with my old friends before and now I barely have any. But I stayed hopeful and he was right, we stayed friends. We helped me through my toughest time; during the university entrance exam period. It was a routine that I called him before and after the exam; and after I knew the result. I failed two universities and the first was the worst. I called him and cried my heart out. He wasn't affected; I was crying my heart out while he laughed and said I will do better next time and I will surely pass next time. And I felt better than people telling me they were sorry and they wished they could do something for me. I felt better when he laughed and made jokes, weird isn't it?


And after me, it was his time for his exams and interviews to be a fireman. It was a difficult exam and I knew it was hard on him too but when I called and asked, he's always laughing, so energetic and so positive. And I couldn't help smiling and be positive myself when I talk with him. Then he passed the exams; despite people telling him it was impossible, he passed. I was so proud of him. After that, his training started. He was so busy that we rarely talked. And he only replied my text a few days later after I had sent them. But I didn't mind, I know he's busy....


And now, his training is over and he's a real fireman. Putting out fires and saving lives. He's still as busy but he will always find time to call me. Usually he would call after work so our conversation is usually short; I know he's tired so we would talk while he walks from his station to his apartment. Up until today I still can't believe he's a real fireman. But he when talked about what he did that day, how he was down when he couldn't save a person caught in fire, I realized that it's really happening. And I worry about him; a fireman is not an easy job and it involves injuries and worst, death. Just a few days ago he dislocated his shoulder carrying a man out from a burning house. Ouch...


I'm worried for him but the only thing I can do is to pray for his safety. Please, be safe.... He's my good friend and I couldn't imagine my life without him. Life is Japan wouldn't be as exciting and as bearable without you, Mr. Fireman….

~silent treatment~

When I'm mad or hurt, I rather be silent...
Because if one word come out, it will followed by more words..
And I can't guarantee that it won't be hurtful....
Usually it does hurt; both ways...
So if I'm silent;
That doesn't mean I'm in despair or worried
That just mean I'm either
1) Mad
or
2) Hurt

~The End~

Lucky I'm In Love With My Best Friend... or Not?

After the long silence, I'm finally back with my writing mood... And this is the subject that I had been thinking for quite some time.. So I decided to write about it; my own way of clearing my thoughts and coming up with a conclusion...

The BIG question before the main menu.....
1) Is it possible to be friend with a girl/guy i.e opposite sex?
The answer: possible

2) Is it possible to be BEST friends with a girl/guy i.e opposite sex?
The answer : IMPOSSIBLE unless...

Of course this is my own thought and the way I think so feel free to think the opposite. So, next stop; why?

One: I think it is possible to be friends with anyone as long you are willing to accept them; their way of life, their opinion towards life; their characteristic; as long as you are opened to whatever they have to give and you don't have the attitude of criticizing anything that is difffrent from your own way. So, it's possible to be friends with anyone, with the right attitude. This includes the opposite sex....

So why does it's a NO for 2?

Because a guy and a girl are bound to be attracted to each other when they become close. Why? Because they're the opposite sex... Men are from mars and women are from venus; ying and yang; opposite attracts. It's just the law of nature.So it is just natural to be attracted to the opposite sex, especially when you are close... And one side are bound to have feelings for the other. For example, Dawson Creek, One Three Hill etc. You become friends, then you become good friends then you realized you have feelings for your best friend, you tell them and they feel the same way too. Or they might not feel the same way at first but then afterwards they realized how important you are bla bla bla and then they realized;  they love you too.. Happy ending; that's of course in the movies... But in real life, things don't really go that well.

You become friends with a guy/a girl. You guys become best friends. Then you started to like them. At first you thought it's better to stay just as friends because you don't want to ruin your relationship etc (whatever reason you can think of). Then one day, that guy/girl found someone and they become a couple. And you were left alone to eat your heart out.... But then the guy/girl still thought you're their best friends so they keep hanging out with you and they dare to wonder why you don't really get along with their new bf/gf. And you're stuck in this weird love-hate relationship.. Things become so complicated and messy...

So, what do you do?

One, you act like a jerk by being selfish and telling the guy/girl how you don't like their bf/gf and being a good friend, they tried to be fair to both you and their gf/bf. However, it won't last for long... Feelings are bound to be hurt and hearts are bound to be broken. How could you possibly be happy spending time with someone when you know they are thinking about someone else? In the end your best friend will have to choose... Who do you think he/she will choose?

Two, you PRETEND like you're fine with everything but the fact is you're not fine with everything. So you become distant and avoid them etc. Or you automatically be in a bad mood once you see them together or heard about them.. And things will continue to be like that for as long as you choose for it to be like that. How could you possibly be happy thinking that the person that you love/like is with someone else; spending the time of their life while you're having a hell of a time crying your eyes out?

Three, you REALLY give up on the whole having a romantic relationship with your best friends and stay friends with them and be happy for them. It's the most difficult things to do but you will end up free from any messy, complicated I'm-in-love-with-my-best friend-but-he/she-has-a-gf/bf kinda problem... Then only you can REALLY be happy for them from the bottom of your heart because you simply care for them as friends; you want them to be happy and you want to be happy FOR them. 

The third way by just giving up and being happy with their own life is the best solution. Why? Because you should appreciate yourself before appreciating others.. You should love yourself before loving others.. How could you be happy with someone that you know do you no good but bring you sadness and tears? Be with someone that makes you feel good about yourself, and makes you want to be a better person... Not with someone who make you cry and make you hate yourself....

So, a guy and a girl can be best friends if and ONLY if, one side had been rejected. That's my conlusion of the whole can you be best friends with the opposite sex 'thing'. Lucky I'm In Love With My Best Friend If He/She Loves Me Back; that's my conclusion for the whole lucky I'm in love with my best friend 'thing'...I think that's about the right conclusion.